2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among higher education/higher education administration schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $14,694. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $61,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,312. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $71,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #4 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $77,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $72,797. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $19,026. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $62,493. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Wiley College landed the #7 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Wiley College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $34,260 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $30,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,465. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $65,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $59,901 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $68,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $77,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #12 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $47,130. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University came in at #13 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $59,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #14 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,878. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #15 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $72,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $51,023 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #17 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,271. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $64,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #18 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $60,647. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University placed #19 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $63,989. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University came in at #20 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $76,596. Set against $30,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earned the #21 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor generally make around $59,942. That is a strong return on a $26,782 median debt. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor admits about 96% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,772. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $65,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #23 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $83,576 early in their careers. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Christian University earned the #24 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,960. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $64,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $90,462. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for higher education/higher education administration this year:
Narrow Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools by State
More Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings
View All Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
